Public assistance ended for millionaire lottery winner

She was getting $200 a month in food assistance from the state of Michigan and still felt she deserved the money because she was unemployed.CNN:

Amanda Clayton hit it big playing the Michigan Lottery. Like many winners, she used her $1 million prize to buy a new house.

But the Lincoln Park, Michigan, resident continued to receive money in another form -- $200 a month in state food assistance, according to CNN Detroit affiliate WDIV.

Her story made headlines, and on Thursday, the state's Department of Human Services announced that she is no longer getting the benefits.

According to Michigan law, welfare recipients must report any changes in assets or income to the agency within 10 days.

The department "relies on clients being forthcoming about their actual financial status. If they are not, and continue to accept benefits, they may face criminal investigation and be required to pay back those benefits," Director Maura Corrigan said in a statement.

She said the agency supports new legislation that would verify whether lottery winners receive state benefits.

"I thought that they would cut me off, but since they didn't, I thought, maybe, it was OK because I'm not working," Clayton, 24, told WDIV when it asked whether it was appropriate for her to receive the money.

A state lawmaker is trying to stop such assistance, which is not illegal. He says the food assistance should not go to those who have found riches through the lottery.

Note the pathetic lack of oversight, with the state relying on people to be "forthcoming" about any changes in their bank account.

There probably aren't too many lottery winners who receive government assistance. But there are almost certainly millions who take from government that which they do not qualify for, or deserve. The billions in waste and fraud prevents that money from going to those who truly need it, while shortchanging the rest of us who pay taxes.

She was getting $200 a month in food assistance from the state of Michigan and still felt she deserved the money because she was unemployed.

Amanda Clayton hit it big playing the Michigan Lottery. Like many winners, she used her $1 million prize to buy a new house.

But the Lincoln Park, Michigan, resident continued to receive money in another form -- $200 a month in state food assistance, according to CNN Detroit affiliate WDIV.

Her story made headlines, and on Thursday, the state's Department of Human Services announced that she is no longer getting the benefits.

According to Michigan law, welfare recipients must report any changes in assets or income to the agency within 10 days.

The department "relies on clients being forthcoming about their actual financial status. If they are not, and continue to accept benefits, they may face criminal investigation and be required to pay back those benefits," Director Maura Corrigan said in a statement.

She said the agency supports new legislation that would verify whether lottery winners receive state benefits.

"I thought that they would cut me off, but since they didn't, I thought, maybe, it was OK because I'm not working," Clayton, 24, told WDIV when it asked whether it was appropriate for her to receive the money.

A state lawmaker is trying to stop such assistance, which is not illegal. He says the food assistance should not go to those who have found riches through the lottery.

Note the pathetic lack of oversight, with the state relying on people to be "forthcoming" about any changes in their bank account.

There probably aren't too many lottery winners who receive government assistance. But there are almost certainly millions who take from government that which they do not qualify for, or deserve. The billions in waste and fraud prevents that money from going to those who truly need it, while shortchanging the rest of us who pay taxes.